Viewers recently saw Tony Dokoupil take over anchor duties on CBS Evening News. However, the change has not been without criticism. Recently, Dokoupil came under fire from viewers after holding a recent interview on the show.
Tony Dokoupil Joined CBS Evening News In Early 2026
Dokoupil originally joined CBS News as a New York-based correspondent in mid-2016. By 2019, he became a co-anchor for CBS This Morning, later known as CBS Mornings.
In late 2025, it was announced that recently installed editor-in-chief Bari Weiss was considering hiring Dokoupil to become an anchor for CBS Evening News. He first joined the show in early 2026, starting earlier than expected on January 3 to report on breaking news in Venezuela.
During this past Tuesday’s episode, airing January 27, Dokoupil discussed a study claiming that grandparents who care for their grandchildren tend to score better on memory and language tests. It was also claimed that they decline more slowly than those who do not.
To discuss the matter, Dokoupil discussed the story with a certain guest: his own mother, Gail. During the conversation, she shared, “I find that they give me a sense of purpose. They energize me more than drive me down.”
Dokoupil has four children. She shares two with his spouse, MS Now anchor Katy Tur. He also shares two children with his ex-wife, Danielle Haas.
Many Criticized Dokoupil’s Choice Of A Source, But Others Came To His Defense
For his part, the new CBS Evening News anchor shared, “Something magical happens when a parent becomes a grandparent. And to think, the next time I call my mom for help with the kids, I can use the line she used on me as a kid: ‘It’s for your own good, Mom.’ I love you.”
Dokoupil himself later shared the moment on X. At the time, he shared that he “called a big source for this one.”
Seeing the share, a few thought the idea was unprofessional. Some also thought this might have been an attempt to “humanize” Dokoupil.
Called a big source for this one https://t.co/z8QFK9VtfY
— Tony Dokoupil (@tonydokoupil) January 28, 2026
However, others came to his defense, including grandparents who wanted to share their own experiences on the matter. Some comments included:
- “Ah, a throwback to those days where they tried to humanize [Walter] Cronkite by having him co-anchor with his dog, Trusty.”
- “Real hard hitting journalism… please keep CBS focused on the real issues currently facing Americans vs telling us what we all know.”
- “You have 9 interactors with this over 3 hours… lol”
- “I have no issue with Tony on this matter… it shows humor and yet a personal touch on a matter that many others can relate to.”
- “This is the laziest reporting I’ve ever seen at the network level. And shame on your EP for allowing a script like this to get on the air.”
- “I loved this segment and was disappointed that Tony got any negative backlash from this. In a way it was an eyeopener.”
- “What about if I’m 50 and have a 5 year old? Samesies?”
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